Dog breeds

Dachshund Chihuahua Mix – Is the Cute Chiweenie Dog For You?

The Chiweenie dog is one of the cutest mixed breeds
A chocolate and strawberry dapple chihuahua dachshund puppy mix known as a "Mexican Hotdog" or chiweenie or chaweenie. Soft lighting and soft focus for effect.

Dachshund Chihuahua Mix – Is the Cute Chiweenie Dog For You?

Hybrid or designer dogs are growing in popularity these days, with most dog owners preferring designer dogs over more traditional pedigrees. If you are looking for a pet or designer hybrid dog that is affectionate, sweet, healthy, and lovable, why not try adopting a Dachshund Chihuahua mix?

The Chiweenie is a mix of a Chihuahua and a Dachshund
The Chiweenie is half Dachshund, half Chihuahua and 100% adorable. 

Most commonly known as Chiweenies, these beautiful little dogs are available in many colors, such as black, chocolate, strawberry blond, and black with tan markings. In short, these are cute and adorable dogs that are only becoming more and more popular. So, let’s take a closer look at the Chiweenie, its traits, temperament, and more below!

What is a Dachshund Chihuahua Mix?

The Dachshund Chihuahua is a hybrid dog, resulting from cross-breeding between a purebred Dachshund and a pure Chihuahua. They have lots of names, including Chiweenies, Doxiwawas, or Dachshuwawas. They’re small, light, and compact, making for the perfect “fun-sized” dogs! 

The Dachshund Chihuahua mix is a friendly dog that easily bonds with everybody around the home. They are sometimes shy with strangers and take time to feel at home, but quickly become part of the family. They are also really good with children. 

Chiweenie puppies need a lot of proper care and attention. The puppies not only crave attention but they also require lots of playtime during their formative years.

Before buying any dog, you should take the time to research the breed. Not all dogs are suitable for all owners! If you plan on adopting a Dachshund Chihuahua, then here are several pointers to think about.

Physical Appearance of Dachshund Chihuahua Mix

The Dachshund Chihuahua mix’s most common characteristics are a small head, long body, and floppy ears. Dachshunds are often affectionately called “sausage dogs” because of the shape of their bodies.

Chiweenies take their long body and build from Dachshunds, but their ears may be perky like those of a Chihuahua. In a nutshell, a Dachshund has a small-sized head, black or brown nose, large eyes, either green, brown, or black, floppy or perky ears, medium to long muzzle, broad neck, long body and stalky build, delicate feet, and long tail medium length coat.

Hybrid dogs can strongly resemble either one of their parent breeds, so you may come across a Chiweenie dog that looks exactly like a dachshund or exactly like a chihuahua. There are countless patterns and colors in a Chiweenie. Full-grown Chihuahua Dachshund dogs may look very different from other Chiweenies you’ve seen (and that’s okay!). In fact, there are tons of options to choose from in terms of the characteristics and looks of this type of dog breed.

How Big is a Chihuahua and Dachshund Mix?

As previously mentioned, the Chiweenie full grown is quite small, weighing in at only five to 12 pounds and measuring about six to 10 inches high. However, some breeds may be slightly smaller or larger.

Dachshund Chihuahua Mix General Behavior

Chiweenie dogs are gentle, sweet, intelligent, affectionate, and protective dogs with lots of energy. The Dachshund Chihuahua mix will easily bond will all people in the family, which is why many love them as “the” family pet.

Is a Chuhuahua Dachshund Mix a Good Dog? 

In general, they are well-behaved, but this can depend a lot on the training and socialization they receive as puppies.

Chiweenie barking behavior is mixed as some may bark excessively while others bark very little. It’s however important to note that Chiweenies’ will always feel threatened whenever visitors or strangers walk into the home; hence, they will usually bark a lot. Small dogs have reputations for being “barky,” and the Chiweenie isn’t one to break the mold.

Living With Dachshund Chihuahua Mix

Living with a Dachshund Chihuahua mix is very interesting. They have plenty of character and are feisty little dogs. These dogs always love company and attention, which is probably why the breed is always referred to as a lap dog (so you should prepare to do a lot of cuddling!). You should also be ready to do a lot of play as these dogs are very playful. Chiweenie temperament can be described as very calm, easy-going, and social.

Grooming A Chiweenie

In terms of grooming, the Dachshund Chihuahua mix is generally a clean dog. This means you will often do minimal cleaning or brushing. They don’t shed heavily, and the short-haired breeds will be much easier to care for. The Dachshund Chihuahua mix has a short to medium-length silky coat that is very glossy. They shed mildly, and their coat texture can vary, depending on the parents. 

Weekly brushing is advised, as well as other grooming maintenance like tooth cleaning, nail trimming, and so on. Professional grooming fees for Chiweenies are generally lower than for larger dogs. However, long-haired Chiweenies may require more grooming. 

Be aware that since your Chiweenie is small, their fur may drag on the ground. In rainy or muddy weather, your dog may need more frequent baths.

Does Dachshund Chihuahua Mix Shed?

Overall, these dogs are fairly low maintenance. While they do shed, this is more of a seasonal occurrence as opposed to a daily problem where you have to take out the vacuum or cover your furniture. Shedding can also be greatly reduced by regular brushing.

Chiweenie Diet

Dachshund Chihuahua mix dogs are generally not big eaters. Be careful not to overfeed your dog, as obesity can add strain on their delicate and little joints. This does mean you will spend less on dog food (which is a major win for some!). This breed also tends to be picky with food and dislikes eating the same food repeatedly for long periods of time. 

It’s, therefore, recommended that you change the Chiweenie diet regularly. Of course, you should never change your dog’s food too frequently or too quickly. You should take caution and ensure that you introduce diet changes gradually to prevent diarrhea or stomach upset. Try feeding your Dachshund Chihuahua mix with canned or dry food at least 2-3 times a day.

Exercising Your Dachshund Chihuahua Pet

Dachshund Chihuahua mix breeds are quite energetic, meaning you’ll need to walk your dog regularly. Of course, Chiweenies don’t need as much exercise as larger dogs, but it’s still important to exercise your dog. Small dogs can get bad-tempered and destructive if they aren’t properly exercised.

If you have enough room in your backyard, letting your dog out to run around in the backyard is a good idea. That way, your Chiweenie can play without any interruptions. Of course, it’s vital to fence your backyard in order to protect the puppies, as they are very fragile and cannot defend themselves. Chiweenie is also very fast and agile compared to other breeds.

Training Cheewinies

The Dachshund Chihuahua mix is a very intelligent, yet stubborn, dog and may prove challenging for first-time owners. You will need to put lots of effort into training sessions and socializing. Though it may appear stubborn at first, the Chiweenie will respond to proper training methods and positive reinforcement. 

The truth is that small dogs often tend to be more stubborn than larger ones. Both chihuahuas and dachshunds can be very stubborn, so the hybrid of the two is also stubborn, creating a real headache for their owner! Training a Chiweenie may well take longer than other breeds, but the results will be worth it—just take your time and be patient.

Chiweenie General Health

Chiweenies suffer from allergies. Take note that the Dachshund Chihuahua mix is usually allergic to things such as pollen or dust. These allergies often display themselves through signs or symptoms such as watery eyes and puffiness. Your dog may be very thirsty and may have either a runny nose or a dry, warm nose.

To get an allergy officially diagnosed, it’s a good idea to keep a log of your pet’s symptoms and then visit a vet. Your dog may be prescribed hayfever medication, or you may need to be extra careful about keeping your house dust-free.

Other than allergic reactions to the eyes, your dog may also be prone to knee injury or problems, so you should ideally take all necessary precautionary measures, or else you will have to spend quite a lot of money on treatment.

Dachshunds and other “sausage” dogs tend to have joint and back problems due to inbreeding. This means that lots of jumping up and down is very bad for your Chiweenie, and can soon cause serious health problems. If possible, carry your Chiweenie up and down the stairs and onto the sofa, if they’re allowed up! 

Caring For A Cheewinie

Most Chiweenies are sensitive to temperature. They are usually uncomfortable with cold weather conditions such as rain or cold. You might find your Chiweenie will often hide indoors during cold weather and might not be keen to go out for walks in snow or rain. It’s a good idea to keep your pet in a warm environment when such weather conditions occur.

Remember that your dog is small and fragile and not as sturdy as a larger dog. Consider investing in dog coats for walks in cold weather, and possibly even little dog boots if the weather is wet.

How Long Do Chiweenie Dogs Live?

Chiweenie life expectancy is usually between 12-15 years. The Dachshund Chihuahua mix is generally a healthy dog, which means that it’s not prone to diseases or infections that can cut short its life. Regular visits to the veterinary doctor are recommended as well as a healthy diet and exercise. If you take care of your pet properly, then be assured that you will have a long, happy, and fulfilling experience together.

Chiweenie Temperament: Frequently Asked Questions

If you’ve still got questions, we have answers. Check out the FAQs about Chiweenies below!

Are Chiweenies aggressive?

Chiweenies don’t make particularly aggressive dogs. However, like many small dogs, they tend to be yappy, spunky, and more than a little bit stubborn. 

Do Chiweenies bark a lot?

Unfortunately, like many small dogs, the Chiweenie can become quite the barker. While you can train this to an extent, they often inherit this quality from their fairly yappy parents.

Are Chiweenies good with kids?

They may depend. Chiweenies may get on fine with older kids, but smaller children can annoy Chiweenies and lead to bites, barking, and general aggression. Chiweenies can also get jealous. However, you can socialize Chiweenie puppies to be good with kids. 

Do Chiweenies make good guard dogs?

Chiweenie dogs aren’t the biggest and most intimidating dogs, but they make surprisingly good guard dogs. Chiweenies jealously guard their home and bark ferociously if they think something is wrong.

Do Chiweenies like to cuddle?

Yes, they do! Chiweenies are known as lap dogs for a reason and love to sit on your lap for cuddles. If you want a dog you can snuggle up with for that next Netflix binge, the Chiweenie might fit the bill here!

Are Chiweenies high maintenance?

Chiweenies require plenty of love, attention, patience, and training. While they aren’t exactly high maintenance, they do need to live with a family who can provide for their needs.

Is The Dachshund Chihuahua Mix The Right Breed For You?

If you have the time, energy, and expertise to train and care for a Chiweenie, great! It’s worth noting that they don’t do well with children (more so if they aren’t trained early on) or with other clingy dogs and shouldn’t be left alone for too long. They don’t need to be with a very active family (Chiweenies only have little legs!), but they do need a reasonable amount of exercise.

If you are looking for a sociable, good-looking hybrid dog, then selecting Chiweenie is a good choice to consider. The dog is an excellent companion for any homeowner looking for a pet. The Dachshund Chihuahua mix is one of the best family dogs you can have around.

In terms of the Dachshund Chihuahua mix price, they can cost anywhere from $500 to $1200. And if this sounds like the dog for you (especially now that you’ve covered the basics!), search for a Dachshund Chihuahua mix for sale in your area. These small but mighty dogs make for great companions and friends.

If you don’t like the idea of owning a Dachshund Chihuahua mix, check out the Dog Breeds section above where we cover more popular dog breeds.

 

Chiweenie puppies - are they a good mixed breed?
Is a Chiweenie dog the right breed for you?

 

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